Cd/dvd recorder

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a CD/DVD recorder with a gradual recording guidance function. The recorder includes at least one video/audio signal sources input end for receiving external video/audio signal sources, a memory for storing a gradual recording guidance program, and a processor for connection to the memory and execution of the program. Execution of the program by the processor includes at least the steps of: displaying on a monitor in single-screen mode a man-machine display screen for selecting recording video/audio sources, and then displaying on the same screen the positions at which the video/audio signal sources input ends are installed in the recorder; and displaying on the monitor in single-screen mode a man-machine display screen for selecting a recording video/audio quality option, and then displaying on the same screen the recording time left with regard to a rewritable/recordable CD/DVD immediately after the recording video/audio quality option is selected.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a CD/DVD recorder, and moreparticularly, to a CD/DVD recorder with a gradual recording guidancefunction whereby screens displayed in single-screen mode give a userstep-by-step guidance on how to input recording parameters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Owing to the complicated design of a recording screen of a conventionalCD/DVD recorder, a user has to use the same screen for inputting variousparameters, such as video/audio signal sources, recording quality,television broadcast channel, recording start and stop time, and date oftimer recording. The same screen is used for inputting so many recordingparameters that, not only does the user have little idea how to inputthe parameters, but the user may omit some parameters.

In light of the shortcomings of the recording man-machine interface of aconventional CD/DVD recorder, the inventor of the present inventionstudied hard and devised an improved CD/DVD recorder having a gradualrecording guidance function whereby man-machine display screensdisplayed in single-screen mode give step-by-step guidance to a user onhow to input recording parameters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a CD/DVDrecorder having a gradual recording guidance function wherebystep-by-step guidance is given to a user on how to input recordingparameters.

To achieve the above and other objective, the present invention providesa CD/DVD recorder having a gradual recording guidance function. TheCD/DVD recorder includes at least one video/audio signal sources inputend, one memory, and one processor. The video/audio signal sources inputends receive external video/audio signal sources. The memory stores agradual recording guidance program. Connected to the memory, theprocessor executes the gradual recording guidance program. Execution ofthe gradual recording guidance program by the processor includes atleast the steps of: displaying on a monitor in single-screen mode aman-machine display screen for selecting recording video/audio sources;displaying on the same screen the positions at which the video/audiosignal sources input ends are installed in the CD/DVD recorder;displaying on the monitor in single-screen mode a man-machine displayscreen for selecting a recording video/audio quality option; anddisplaying on the same screen the recording time left with regard to arewritable/recordable CD/DVD immediately after the recording video/audioquality option is selected.

For a further understanding of the nature and advance of the presentinvention, reference should be made to the following description inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objective and other objectives and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent upon reading of the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a CD/DVD recorder of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of execution of a gradual recording guidanceprogram by a CD/DVD recorder of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a man-machine display screen displayed in single-screenmode and configured to display a record wizard in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 shows a man-machine display screen displayed in single-screenmode and configured to display recording video/audio quality options inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a man-machine display screen displayed in single-screenmode and configured to display recording video/audio signal sourcesoptions in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a man-machine display screen displayed in single-screenmode and configured to provide user guidance on inputting a date oftimer recording in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a man-machine display screen displayed in single-screenmode and configured to provide user guidance on inputting a recordingstart time in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a man-machine display screen displayed in single-screenmode and configured to provide user guidance on inputting a recordingstop time in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a man-machine display screen displayed in single-screenmode and configured to provide user guidance on inputting a tag name ofa rewritable/recordable CD/DVD in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a man-machine display screen displayed in single-screenmode and configured to display recording repeat options in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a man-machine display screen displayed in single-screenmode allowing a user to initiate an erase function in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a man-machine display screen displayed in single-screenmode allowing a user to initiate a finalize function in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 13 shows a man-machine display screen displayed in single-screenmode and configured to display a timer recording checklist in accordancewith the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a CD/DVD recorder of the presentinvention. The present invention provides a CD/DVD recorder 10 with agradual recording guidance function whereby man-machine display screensdisplayed in single-screen mode give step-by-step guidance to a user onhow to perform recording, such that the user can store an intendedprogram on a rewritable/recordable CD/DVD with ease. The CD/DVD recorder10 comprises a memory 101, a gradual recording guidance program 102, aprocessor 103, at least one video/audio signal sources input end 104, aTV tuner 105, a video/audio signal decoding/encoding module 106, aCD/DVD writer module 107, and at least one video/audio signal output end108, as described below.

A specific means to implementation of the video/audio signal sourcesinput ends 104 comprises, for example, a video terminal, an audioterminal, a S-terminal, a VGA terminal, a DVI terminal, a componentterminal, and a SCART terminal. The terminals are configured to receiveexternal video/audio signal sources. The user selects one of theexternal video/audio signal sources, using buttons of a remote control(not shown) of the CD/DVD recorder 10.

More specifically, a specific means to implementation of the video/audiosignal sources input ends 104 is an antenna terminal which connects theTV tuner 105 to an antenna (or a cable TV wire). The user selects thechannel of a TV program to be recorded, using a TV channel button of theremote control.

The video/audio signal decoding/encoding module 106 links up thevideo/audio signal sources input ends 104, the TV tuner 105, and thevideo/audio signal output ends 108. The module 106 is not only equippedwith an analog-to-digital converter but also configured to decompressany compressed video/audio signals so as to achieve restoration ofimages and sounds. By contrast, the module 106 compresses anyvideo/audio signals which have not yet been compressed; for instance, itcompresses a TV program to allow the TV program to have a DVD-compatiblevideo format.

The CD/DVD writer module 107 is capable of reading data stored on arewritable/recordable CD/DVD and recording the data on the CD/DVD. Thedata recorded are video/audio signals compressed by the module 106.

The memory 101 stores the gradual recording guidance program 102 andother programs. The processor 103 executes all the programs stored inthe memory 101 and controls the operation of the CD/DVD recorder 10.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of execution of the gradual recording guidanceprogram 102 by the CD/DVD recorder 10 of the present invention. Once theuser presses a recording button of the remote control, the processor 103executes the gradual recording guidance program 102 right away andenables a man-machine display screen for displaying a record wizard 20to appear, wherein the man-machine display screen for displaying therecord wizard 20 is displayed on a monitor (not shown) in single-screenmode. Referring to FIG. 3, options displayed on the man-machine displayscreen for displaying the record wizard 20 comprise a source recordingoption 201, an Erase option 203, a Timer REC option 205, and a Finalizeoption 207.

In the course of execution of a source recording function or a timerrecording function of the gradual recording guidance program 102 by theprocessor 103, the processor 103 enables a man-machine display screen 30to appear, and the man-machine display screen 30 appears on the monitorin single-screen mode. The screen 30 displays recording video/audioquality options which comprise recording quality modes, such as HQ mode,SP mode, LP mode, EP mode, and SLP mode, for controlling picturequality. The user chooses an intended recording video/audio qualityoption, using the remote control. Referring to FIG. 4, upon selection ofthe recording video/audio quality option, the screen 30 displays arecording time left 301 so as to show the current unused recordingcapacity of the rewritable/recordable CD/DVD.

In the course of execution of a source recording function or a timerrecording function of the gradual recording guidance program 102 by theprocessor 103, the processor 103 enables a man-machine display screen 40to appear, and the man-machine display screen 40 appears on the monitorin single-screen mode. Referring to FIG. 5, the screen 40 displaysvideo/audio signal sources options, such as the TV tuner 105, afront-end AV terminal, a back-end AV terminal, a back-end S-terminal,and a DV terminal. In addition, the screen 40 shows where the terminalsare on the CD/DVD recorder 10. The user selects an intended video/audiosignal source, using the remote control.

In the course of execution of a source recording function or a timerrecording function of the gradual recording guidance program 102 by theprocessor 103, the processor 103 enables man-machine display screens 50,60 and 70 to appear, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8; and the screens 50,60 and 70 appear on the monitor in single-screen mode. The screen 50gives guidance to the user on how to input a date of timer recording.The screen 60 gives guidance to the user on how to input a recordingstart time. The screen 70 gives guidance to the user on how to input arecording stop time.

In the course of execution of a source recording function or a timerrecording function of the gradual recording guidance program 102 by theprocessor 103, the processor 103 enables a man-machine display screen 80to appear, and the man-machine display screen 80 appears on the monitorin single-screen mode. Referring to FIG. 9, the screen 80 gives guidanceto the user on how to input a tag name of a rewritable/recordableCD/DVD.

In the course of execution of a timer recording function of the gradualrecording guidance program 102 by the processor 103, the processor 103enables a man-machine display screen 90 to appear, and the screen 90appears on the monitor in single-screen mode. Referring to FIG. 10, thescreen 90 displays recording repeat options, for example, once, at thesame time every day, at the same time on the same day every day, and atthe same time on the same day from Monday to Friday. The user selects anintended repeat option, using the remote control.

In the course of execution of an Erase function of the gradual recordingguidance program 102 by the processor 103, the processor 103 enables aman-machine display screen 100 to appear, and the man-machine displayscreen 100 appears on the monitor in single-screen mode. Referring toFIG. 11, the screen 100 displays the current unused recording capacityof the rewritable/recordable CD/DVD so as to allow the user to choosebetween erasure and recording.

In the course of execution of a Finalize function of the gradualrecording guidance program 102 by the processor 103, the processor 103enables a man-machine display screen 110 to appear, and the screen 110appears on the monitor in single-screen mode, as shown in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 13, a man-machine display screen 120 displays a timerrecording checklist. The screen 120 appears on the monitor insingle-screen mode such that the user gains insight into all timerrecording states at a glance.

The CD/DVD recorder of the present invention functions by man-machinedisplay screens displayed in single-screen mode, so as to provide agradual recording guidance function, allowing a user to learn recordingwith ease. With each screen being solely configured to perform a singletype of setting operation, the operation screen is always simple.Obviously, the present invention has an advantage, that is, ease of use.

While the present invention has been described by way of examples and interms of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the presentinvention is not limited thereto. It should be understood that thedetailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferredembodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustrationonly, since various changes and modifications within the spirit andscope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled inthe art from this detailed description. Therefore the scope of theappended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such changes and modifications.

1. A CD/DVD recorder, comprising: at least one video/audio signalsources input end for receiving external video/audio signal sources; amemory for storing a gradual recording guidance program; and a processorfor connection with the memory and execution of the gradual recordingguidance program; wherein the execution of the gradual recordingguidance program by the processor comprises at least the steps of:displaying on a monitor in single-screen mode a man-machine displayscreen for selecting recording video/audio sources, and displaying onthe man-machine display screen positions at which the video/audio signalsources input ends are installed in the CD/DVD recorder; and displayingon the monitor in single-screen mode a man-machine display screen forselecting a recording video/audio quality option, then, displaying onthe man-machine display screen a recording time left with regard to arewritable/recordable CD/DVD immediately after the recording video/audioquality option is selected.
 2. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 1, whereinthe execution of the gradual recording guidance program by the processorfurther comprises the step of: displaying on the monitor insingle-screen mode a man-machine display screen for selecting arecording start time.
 3. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 1, wherein theexecution of the gradual recording guidance program by the processorfurther comprises the step of: displaying on the monitor insingle-screen mode a man-machine display screen for selecting arecording stop time.
 4. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 1, wherein theexecution of the gradual recording guidance program by the processorfurther comprises the step of: displaying on the monitor insingle-screen mode a man-machine display screen for selecting arecording repeat option.
 5. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 1, wherein theexecution of the gradual recording guidance program by the processorfurther comprises the step of: displaying on the monitor insingle-screen mode a man-machine display screen for inputting a tag nameof the rewritable/recordable CD/DVD.
 6. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 1,wherein the execution of the gradual recording guidance program by theprocessor further comprises the step of: displaying on the monitor insingle-screen mode man-machine display screens for selecting a sourcerecording option, an Erase option, a timer recording option, and aFinalize option.
 7. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 1, wherein theexecution of the gradual recording guidance program by the processorfurther comprises the step of: displaying on the monitor insingle-screen mode man-machine display screens for selecting a date oftimer recording.
 8. The CD/DVD recorder as in claim 1, wherein theCD/DVD recorder further comprises: a TV tuner for selecting andreceiving a TV program broadcast by a TV channel; a video/audio signaldecoding/encoding module for connecting the video/audio signal sourcesinput ends to the TV tuner; and a CD/DVD writer module for burning thevideo/audio signal decoding/encoding module-processed video/audiosignals to the rewritable/recordable CD/DVD, wherein the processorelectrically connects the CD/DVD writer module to the video/audio signaldecoding/encoding module.
 9. A CD/DVD recorder, comprising: at least onevideo/audio signal sources input end for receiving external video/audiosignal sources; a gradual recording guidance program for providing atleast one man-machine display screen having a gradual recording guidancefunction and displayed on a monitor in single-screen mode; and aprocessor for execution of the gradual recording guidance program. 10.The CD/DVD recorder of claim 9, wherein the execution of the gradualrecording guidance program by the processor comprises at least the stepof: displaying on the monitor in single-screen mode a man-machinedisplay screen for selecting recording video/audio sources, anddisplaying on the man-machine display screen positions at which thevideo/audio signal sources input ends are installed in the CD/DVDrecorder.
 11. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 9, wherein the execution ofthe gradual recording guidance program by the processor comprises atleast the step of: displaying on the monitor in single-screen mode theman-machine display screen for selecting the recording video/audioquality option, displaying on the man-machine display screen therecording time left with regard to the rewritable/recordable CD/DVDimmediately after the recording video/audio quality option is selected.12. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 9, further comprising a memory forstoring the gradual recording guidance program.
 13. The CD/DVD recorderof claim 9, wherein the execution of the gradual recording guidanceprogram by the processor further comprises the step of: displaying onthe monitor in single-screen mode a man-machine display screen forselecting a recording start time.
 14. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 9,wherein the execution of the gradual recording guidance program by theprocessor further comprises the step of: displaying on the monitor insingle-screen mode a man-machine display screen for selecting arecording stop time.
 15. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 9, wherein theexecution of the gradual recording guidance program by the processorfurther comprises the step of: displaying on the monitor insingle-screen mode a man-machine display screen for selecting arecording repeat option.
 16. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 9, wherein theexecution of the gradual recording guidance program by the processorfurther comprises the step of: displaying on the monitor insingle-screen mode a man-machine display screen for inputting a tag nameof the rewritable/recordable CD/DVD.
 17. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 9,wherein the execution of the gradual recording guidance program by theprocessor further comprises the step of: displaying on the monitor insingle-screen mode man-machine display screens for selecting a sourcerecording option, an Erase option, a timer recording option, and aFinalize option.
 18. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 9, wherein theexecution of the gradual recording guidance program by the processorfurther comprises the step of: displaying on the monitor insingle-screen mode man-machine display screens for selecting a date oftimer recording.
 19. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 9, wherein the CD/DVDrecorder further comprises: a TV tuner for selecting and receiving a TVprogram broadcast by a TV channel; a video/audio signaldecoding/encoding module for connecting the video/audio signal sourcesinput ends to the TV tuner; and a CD/DVD writer module for burning thevideo/audio signal decoding/encoding module-processed video/audiosignals to the rewritable/recordable CD/DVD, wherein the processorelectrically connects the CD/DVD writer module to the video/audio signaldecoding/encoding module.
 20. The CD/DVD recorder of claim 9, whereinthe CD/DVD recorder further comprises: a video/audio signal output endfor connecting to the monitor and transmitting a plurality ofman-machine display screen signals generated as a result of execution ofthe gradual recording guidance program by the processor.
 21. The CD/DVDrecorder of claim 9, wherein the video/audio signal sources input endscomprise a video terminal, an audio terminal, a S-terminal, a VGAterminal, a DVI terminal, a component terminal, an antenna terminal, anda SCART terminal.
 22. A recording medium for storing a gradual recordingguidance program, the gradual recording guidance program being read andexecuted by a CD/DVD recorder, the CD/DVD recorder comprising at leastone video/audio signal sources input end for receiving externalvideo/audio signal sources, the gradual recording guidance programallowing the CD/DVD recorder to execute the step of: displaying at leastone man-machine display screen having a gradual recording guidancefunction, the man-machine display screen being displayed on a monitor insingle-screen mode.
 23. The recording medium of claim 22, wherein theman-machine display screen is configured to select recording video/audiosources and display on the man-machine display screen positions at whichthe video/audio signal sources input ends are installed in the CD/DVDrecorder.
 24. The recording medium of claim 22, wherein the man-machinedisplay screen is configured to select a recording video/audio qualityoption and then display on the man-machine display screen a recordingtime left with regard to a rewritable/recordable CD/DVD immediatelyafter the recording video/audio quality option is selected.
 25. Therecording medium of claim 22, wherein the CD/DVD recorder furthercomprises a memory for storing the gradual recording guidance program.26. The recording medium of claim 22, wherein the man-machine displayscreen is configured to select a recording start time.
 27. The recordingmedium of claim 22, wherein the man-machine display screen is configuredto select a recording start time.
 28. The recording medium of claim 22,wherein the man-machine display screen is configured to select arecording repeat option.
 29. The recording medium of claim 22, whereinthe man-machine display screen is configured to input a tag name of therewritable/recordable CD/DVD.
 30. The recording medium of claim 22,wherein the man-machine display screen is configured to select a sourcerecording option, an Erase option, a timer recording option, and aFinalize option.
 31. The recording medium of claim 22, wherein theman-machine display screen is configured to select a date of timerrecording and is displayed on the monitor in single-screen mode.
 32. Therecording medium of claim 22, wherein the CD/DVD recorder furthercomprises: a TV tuner for selecting and receiving a TV program broadcastby a TV channel; a video/audio signal decoding/encoding module forconnecting the video/audio signal sources input ends to the TV tuner;and a CD/DVD writer module for burning the video/audio signaldecoding/encoding module-processed video/audio signals to therewritable/recordable CD/DVD, wherein the processor electricallyconnects the CD/DVD writer module to the video/audio signaldecoding/encoding module.
 33. The recording medium of claim 22, whereinthe CD/DVD recorder further comprises: a video/audio signal output endfor connecting to the monitor and transmitting a plurality ofman-machine display screen signals generated as a result of execution ofthe gradual recording guidance program by the processor.
 34. Therecording medium of claim 22, wherein the video/audio signal sourcesinput ends comprise a video terminal, an audio terminal, a S-terminal, aVGA terminal, a DVI terminal, a component terminal, an antenna terminal,and a SCART terminal.